Idaho State University Professor Shoots Self by Mistake During Class

An Idaho State University professor accidentally shot himself in the foot in the middle of teaching class when a gun in his pocket went off Tuesday afternoon.

According to KTVB-TV, none of the roughly 20 students he was teaching were injured, and the professor himself was treated at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello and released. Police say the weapon was a small-caliber gun, and was never displayed in the classroom.

"The university officials and Pocatello Police Department responded as soon as they received notification of the incident," explained Adrienne King, director of Marketing and Communications at ISU. "They assessed the situation and determined that it was an isolated incident and that there was no imminent danger and no need to notify the campus community of any further concern."

The professor, Byron Bennett, an assistant professor of chemistry, was carrying the gun legally, and is one of roughly 6,000 citizens in Idaho who has an Enhanced Concealed Weapons permit. He also has a concealed carry permit in Utah.

The Idaho State Journal reported that a new law that went into effect on July 1 of this year allows people with enhanced permits — which require extra training — to carry their weapons on public college and university campuses but not in dormitories or stadiums. The Daily Beast reported that it is the seventh state to pass a law allowing enhanced permit holders to carry on campus.

University president Arthur Vailas, who opposed the law, said that the campus updated its policy regarding weapons on campus ahead of the law taking effect.

"It’s unfortunate," said Vailas. "I’m sure the incident was scary and embarrassing."

Police and campus administrators are still investigating the incident. Police spokesperson Lieutenant McCoy said Bennett could be charged with discharging a weapon within city limits.